5 tours per day will run approximately one hour at: 11:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. 2:00 p.m.3:30 p.m.5:00 p.m.

It's the first time in the Petersen's 18-year history that regular visitors have access to the city-block-sized basement that houses hundreds of vehicles demonstrating the history of the automobile as it's played out in Southern California.

Tours may be reserved by calling 323.964.6331 or purchasing your tickets at the admissions desk the day of your tour. For more information go to www.Petersen.org

Tickets to the vault cannot be purchased in advance or online. They are only available in person at the museum, and only for a two-week test run, after which the Petersen will assess its popularity and decide how to proceed.

Also, it costs $12 to get admission to the museum, up to $12 to park, and $25 for the vault tour. You can save the cost pf parking if you go on a Sunday, and park about two blocks away in the residential area. I found that at 8th and Genesee there was plenty of available parking. I didn't have to feed a meter, which may not matter on a weekday, but cost 2 dollars a half hour in the museum area. Sheesh.

Also, gas costs $1.20 more a gallon in that area than the normal prices at the 405 and Santa Monica Blvd. The nearest Starbucks I found was at Wilshire and Santa Monica Blvd intersection